Christmas-tree-lighting outfit



April 6 1926.

1,579,649 c. P, CUSHWAY CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING OUTFIT Filed June 12, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 fl EN EETQR ATTORNEY April 6 1926. 1,579,649

C. P. CUSHWAY CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING OUTFIT Filed June 12, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY Pasta! Apr. 6, 1926. Q 'UNITED STATES 1,579,649 PAT NT- OFFICE.

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Application filed 'tlune 12, 13525. Serial m. 36,575.

To all whom 'it may concern:

:Be it known that I, CIrARLn's P. CUsIIWAY,

- citizen at the United States of America,

residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Christmas- Tree-Lighting Outfits, of which the followingis a specification.

This invention relates to new-and useful improvements in a Christmas tree base, and particularly to a base througln which suitable connections may be establishedtor electric lights used to illuminate the tree.

The base forming the object o I the present invention is particularly suita do for use with electrical tree lighting out its. In ac- .cordance witlnone of thei'catures of the present invention the outlets through which the tree lighting outfits may be connected, with the current supply conductors are preterably provided in the base of the tree. The electric lights used for illluninating the tree are usually miniature lamps, a plurality of which is connected in series with the outside source of current supply. A set ofsuch miniature lights mounted in sockets is usually provided with a cord terminating in a screw plug orother switching device for connection with the terminals of the current leads in an outlet or socket. Since, in accordance with the present invention the connecting points to the current conductors are I provided in the base of the tree, the bulk of the cord may be concealed near the trunk of the treeand only the miniature lamp sockets and conductors leading thereto are carried by the branches. Not only w1ll such an arrangement improve the ap earance of the tree by concealing the more bulky parts of the cord, but most of the cord will be supported by the trunk and the thin branches will be less likely to break under the weight ,carried by them.

Another feature of the invention contem plates the provision of a plurality of outlets in the tree base, preferably connected in parallel with each .othcr, permitting the connection of:a plurality of lamp sets with the base independent of each other. This makes the installation and removal of the lamp cords an easier matter. Three, four or more.

sets may be hung on the tree without overloadingv the branches and destroying its apearance. g

Still another feature of the present inven- J 4 -tion provides for the illumination 'of the ance with the present invention is provided with sockets or outlets adapted for connection with the miniature lamp cords as well as with sockets serving as floodlights, All the sockets are preferably of the same type and may be interchangeably used. As above stated, the sockets or outlets are connected in parallel with each other through conductors concealed within the base. Connection with the outside source of power may be established either through one of the sockets or someother opening in the base.

These and other features of the invention will l-nore'clearly appear trom the following detailed description of apreferred embodiment thereof and the appended claims.

Thejnvention is illustrated as applied to a Chrlstmas tree holder or base adapted to accommodate four sets of miniature lamps and four floodlights. Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a tree mounted in a base; Fig. 2 is a vertical cross-section of the base; Fig. 3 is a: top plan view of the base; and Fig.4 is a. horizontal cross-section of the base along lines 4 4 of Fig. 2. I

The base is preferably made of sheet metal and consists of a cylindrical casing having a Side wall 1, a top 2 and -a'bottom 3. The bottom is. formed with projections or legs4 on which the base rests. A well 5 is sunk in the casing through the top 2 and is partly filled withwater for the purpose of keeping the tree fresh; The end of the tree trunkfi is inserted into the well 5 through a ring 7 provided above the well and fastened to the casing top 2 by arms .8. The tree trunk is held In position by means of a pointed lug 9 projecting from the bottom of the well 5 and adapted to penetrate into the tree, trunk, and thumb screws 10 passing through the ring 7 The thumb screws are adjustable to hold tree trunks of varying diameters.

The top 2 of the casing has a plurality of openings in hich are suitably mounted four lamp sockets 11, 12, 13 and 14, and four metallic reflectors 15, 16, ,17 and 18.

The lamp sockets 11 to 14 are partly within the casing and partly project above the top thereof, and the reflectors are held entirely within the casing with their flaring mouths flush with the top 2. In an opening at the .conductors and 26 leading tothe outside source of supply. As illustrated in the drawings, the conductors 25 and 26 are carried out of the casing through a bushing 27 provided in the wall 1 of the casing and are led in a. cord 28 to a receptacle 29 .in which the current leads terminate. It will be obvious, however, to those skilled in the art that instead of this arrangement, the cord may su ply current to the sockets by connection tirough the upper contacts of any one of the sockets.

As shown in Fig. 1, incandescent electric lights 30 are inserted in the sockets 19 to 22 to flood the tree in light. These lainps 30 may have differently colored glass envelopes to enhance the efl'ect. are engaged by screw plugs 31, 32, 33 and 34 in which terminate cords 35, 36, 37 and -38.

Each one of these cords hasconnected with it in series a plurality of miniature lights such as 40. As clearly shown in Fig. 1, the cords are led near the trunk 6 of the tree The sockets 11 to 14 and the miniature lights are positioned at different heights on the weaker branches. The weight of the cord is thus borne by the trunk of the -tree and the cords are well concealed from view.

What I claim is:

1. In a Christmas tree lighting outfit, a casing, a tree holder in'said casing, a plurality of sockets mounted on said casing, a plurality of cords, incandescent light bulbs connected in series through each cord, 2. connector for each cord cooperating with said sockets, and a plurality of'flood lights mounted in said casing.

2. In a Christmas tree lighting outfit, a casing, a holder for the tree trunk near the center of said casing, a plurality of sockets mounted in the top of said casin around said holder, a plurality of cords, incandescent light bu.bs connected in series through each cord, a connector for each cord cooperating with a socket, a plurality of light reflectors in said casing, a lamp socket at the apex of each reflector, conductors inside of said casing connecting all of said sockets in parallel, and a connectionleading from said conductors to the outside of said casing.

3. In a Christmas tree lighting outfit, a base comprising a tree holder, incandescent electric light bulbs. on said tree, a socket in said base, a connection from said bulbs to said socket, a floodlight mounted on said base, and a connection from said socket and tloodiight leading to the outside of said base.

In testiniony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification this 4th day of June, 1925.

CHAS. P. CUSIIWAY. 

